Lesson Plan Details

Sneak Peek at Game and Fish, A (REGPCEC)

Topic

AGFC - CentersAGFC - Arkansas HistoryAGFC - General

Summary

In this lesson, participants will get an overview of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). They will hear about AGFC’s major divisions, support divisions and the programs and resources offered. Then the class will focus more on the education and outreach division.

Grade Level

K - 12

Recommended Setting

Any

Location

Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Conservation Education Center, Columbus

Contact

Education Program Coordinator, 800-983-4219

Duration

45 minutes - 1 hour

Suggested Number of Participants

10 - 30

Special Conditions

Weather permitting

Objectives

Learn the mission of the AGFC.

Learn the major divisions and discuss the support divisions.

Learn about programs and resources at AGFC.

Learn about the education and outreach division including nature centers, education centers and regional education coordinators.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) was established on March 11, 1915 by legislative act 124 and signed into law by Governor George Washington Hays. The agency’s direct connection with the legislature was severed in 1944 when Amendment 35 was passed by a popular vote. The stated mission of AGFC is “to wisely manage all the fish and wildlife resources of Arkansas while providing maximum enjoyment for the people.” To meet this goal it manages wildlife and natural habitat and sets hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations. AGFC works with public, private, local, state, and federal groups to deliver conservation programs and educate the public about the importance of healthy fish and wildlife populations and their habitats

The AGFC was operated on hunting and fishing license fees until Amendment 75 was approved by voters in 1996. The amendment levied a one-eighth-of-one-percent statewide sales tax, of which the AGFC receives forty-five percent. This added more than $25 million to its annual budget; and allowed it to expand and improve education and conservation programs.

The AGFC is overseen by a board of seven commissioners. These governor-appointed members serve seven-year terms. An eighth ex-officio member is the chairman of the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville biology department. The agency is led by a director and deputy directors.

Procedure

Ask what the mission of AGFC might be. The mission statement reads, “To wisely manage all the fish and wildlife resources of Arkansas while providing maximum enjoyment for the people.”

The AGFC began in 1945 with Amendment 35 which gave the agency “control, management, restoration, conservation and regulation of birds, fish, game and wildlife resources of the state.” It is funded through licenses and permit fees which go toward a game protection fund used solely by the AGFC. The agency is governed by a board of eight commissioners. The governor names seven voting members with staggered seven-year terms and one nonvoting member who is the head of the biology department at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Later, in 1996, state voters approved Amendment 75 which authorizes a one-eighth cent sales tax earmarked for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (45 percent), Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (45 percent), Department of Arkansas Heritage (9 percent) and Keep Arkansas Beautiful (1percent). These constitutional amendments give a mix of authority and funding, making it responsible for all wildlife in the state. Amendment 75 funds increased AGFC law enforcement, land acquisition and improvement, conservation education, private lands programs, endangered species and habitat restoration and AGFC programs.

Explain that, in order for AGFC to achieve its mission, several divisions and support divisions are necessary. Briefly discuss each major division:

Enforcement

Fisheries

Wildlife management

Education and outreach

After the major divisions have been introduced, explain that they must have a support system. Briefly cover the following:

Operations

Legal

Construction, engineering and real estate

River basins and governmental relations

Fiscal

Information technology

Personnel

Communications

After discussing the support divisions, switch to outreach programs. If time permits, touch on programs and resources available (listed above), starting with hunter and boating education. Then, talk about the education and outreach division and resources available other than programs.

Nature Centers

Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center (870-534-0011)

Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center (870-933-6787)

Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center

Witt Stephens Jr. Arkansas Central Arkansas Nature Center

Conservation Education Centers

Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Conservation Education Center

Potlatch Conservation Education Center at Cook’s Lake

Ponca Elk Education Center

Fred Berry Conservation Education Center on Crooked Creek

Regional Education Coordinators

Seven regional education coordinators assigned in the state

Facilitates hunter and boating education instructor training

Assists with Project WILD and Total Outdoor Teaching Experience, Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs, shooting sports, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, On Target for Life

Facilitates regional educational programs for schools and colleges by request

If time permits, talk about the center, region or program the speaker represents.

Review

When was AGFC established?

Why was the one-eighth-cent sales tax enacted?

Name the four nature centers and the four conservation education centers.

What is the mission of the regional educational coordinators?

Glossary

Cache – a small container hidden outdoors for others to find (Web definition)

Commission – a group of people authorized to carry out a duty

Conservation – planned management of natural resources (including wildlife and habitat) to prevent exploitation or neglect and to ensure their availability to future generations

Game – legal name for animals that may be managed and hunted only under regulation; animals with a declared open season

Natural resources – raw materials including nutrients, minerals, water, plants and animals found in the Earth

State Wildlife Agency – agency that manages some or all wildlife including habitat protection, restoration and alteration; planning; land acquisition; research; education; information; endangered species; consumptive uses; nonconsumptive uses and regulations and usually law enforcement

Wildlife – animals that are not tamed or domesticated including insects, spiders, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians and mammals